Computational Thinking Assignment: Problem Solving and Analysis

This assignment delves into the principles of computational thinking, illustrating its application through two distinct scenarios. The first involves analyzing the conflict in Libya, identifying the various groups involved (Gaddafi's Forces, Al-Qaeda, civilian protestors, armed rebels, criminal gangs, and NATO forces) and potential alliances. The second scenario presents a burglary in a billionaire's mansion, where the student applies the Greedy Packing Method to determine the optimal packing pattern for eight items, followed by an alternative packing method. The assignment also covers key concepts of computational thinking, including abstraction, logical thinking (inductive and deductive reasoning), algorithms, and debugging, with real-world examples to illustrate each concept. The assignment demonstrates how computational thinking can be used to break down complex problems into smaller, manageable components and find efficient solutions.

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COMPUTATIONAL THINKING
In general, Computational Thinking (CT) is a thought process which can evolve
methodologies for solving a problem and then expressing the solution in a manner
which a computer – human or machine –can follow effectively.
The statement given above can be explained further by following these two simple,
everyday occurring problems (Curzon & McOwan, 2017).
(A) Assume that a person has to look up a name starting with alphabet ‘G’ from an
alphabetically sorted list. This is known as Binary Search in computing
language. Supposing there are 100 names listed on a single page of the list and the
list contains a total of 150,000 names. Computational Thinking helps in finding
the most effective and quick way of finding the name starting with alphabet ‘G’.
An effective use of Computational Thinking also lies in finding a way of how the
person can minimize the number of pages to look at for finding the required data.
(B) Another useful way of taking help from Computational Thinking is through use of
Parallel Processing. Suppose, a person along with his friend has gone to watch a
movie. He finds that there are three queues for buying the tickets. Parallel
Processing is the methodology in Computational Thinking by which the person
can select the shortest and quickest way of getting his tickets.
Computational Thinking (CT) is a process that can be used for solving problems and
includes a number of its characteristics and dispositions (Riley & Hunt, 2014). The four
most important of these are –
1. Abstraction
(a) Decomposition
Computational thinking is used for reformulating a difficult problem into a simple one
which can be solved.
(b) Abstraction

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This involves sorting the important details and then identifying those principles which
apply to the problems/situations (Wang, 2017).
2. Logical Thinking
(a) Inductive reasoning
This involves moving from specific examples to general principles.
In the given example: 8÷1 = 8; 27÷1 = 27; 118÷1 = 118; … the general principle is that
dividing any number by 1 equals the number. In the following example: 3+5=8;
7+9=16; 27+23=50; …the general principle is that an odd plus an odd equals an even.
(b) Deductive reasoning
This involves moving from general principles to specific examples.
In the following example we move from a general principle: Theory - All humans are
mortal to a specific example by asking: Hypothesis - Is Thomas mortal? Based on the
Theory cited above, our Observation is - Thomas is a human and our Confirmation is -
Thomas is mortal (Curzon & McOwan, 2017).
3. Algorithms
An algorithm is a sequence of steps used for solving a problem (Wang, 2017).
4. Debugging
Debugging is the process of locating and fixing “bugs” occurring in algorithms to make
them behave as expected. This can be understood by the following scenario:
John comes home and finds that the desk lamp is not working. John will follow these
steps to debugg the problem by checking whether –
 The lamp is turned on.
 The light bulb is working.
 The lamp is plugged in.
 The outlet is working.
 There is power in the room (Riley & Hunt, 2014).
Prof Looi Chee Kit, head of the Learning Sciences Lab, National Institute of Education
at Nanyang Technological University has been advocating the importance of teaching
computational thinking. One of his students said “through computing, I know that a big
problem can be broken down into small ones to conquer. Almost every day I use this.”

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Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, minister in charge of Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative, said
“the ultimate idea is one where citizens are active co-creators and problem-solvers,
rather than passively waiting on the government to solve every real-life problem”.
Conflict in Libya
ANSWER – 1(a):
The groups involved in the conflict in Libya are –
1. Gaddafi’s Forces
2. Al-queda
3. Civilian Protestors
4. Armed Rebels
5. Criminal Gangs
6. NATO Forces
 The conflict started with Al-queda fighting Gaddafi’s Forces.
 But soon Civilian Protestors too joined the conflict by opposing Gaddafi’s Forces.
 This followed by Armed Rebels joining the Protestors against Gaddafi’s Forces.
 Criminal Gangs, already opposing Gaddafi’s Forces, also joined others against
Gaddafi’s Forces.
 Because a Civil War had ensued, NATO Forces were rushed in to stop the conflict
and they were fighting against all others involved in the conflict.
ANSWER – 1(b):
The possible alliances which can be formed are –
ALLIANCE – 1:
Gaddafi’s Forces with Criminal Gangs
ALLIANCE – 2:
Civilian Protestors with Armed Rebels and NATO Forces
Al-queda cannot be part of any alliance, as it is opposed by Gaddafi, NATO, Rebels,
Criminals and Civilians.
ANSWER – 1(c):
The possible alliances which can be formed are –
ALLIANCE – 1:

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Gaddafi’s Forces with Criminal Gangs
ALLIANCE – 2:
Civilian Protestors with Armed Rebels and NATO Forces
Burglary in Billionaire’s Mansion
ANSWER – 2(a):
The following will be the packing pattern for eight items based on Greedy Packing
Method –
BAG-1 contains TWO Items weighing 2.0 & 7.5 kg
BAG-2 contains TWO Items weighing 4.0 & 5.5 kg
BAG-3 contains TWO Items weighing 4.0 & 1.0 kg
BAG-4 contains TWO Items weighing 2.0 & 3.5 kg
ANSWER – 2(b):
The alternative method which can be used for packing the eight items is –
BAG-1 contains TWO Items weighing 4.0, 4.0 & 2.0 kg
BAG-2 contains TWO Items weighing 5.5, 3.5 & 1.0 kg
BAG-3 contains TWO Items weighing 7.5 & 2.0 kg
ANSWER – 2(c):
7.5 kg will be written on the piece of paper, because this is the heaviest item (X) in
among the set of items (S) in the mansion.
REFERENCE LIST

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Curzon, P. and McOwan, P.W. (2017) The Power of Computational Thinking: Games,
Magic and Puzzles to Help You Become a Computational Thinker. London: World
Scientific Publishing Company.
Riley, D.D. and Hunt, K.A. (2014) Computational Thinking for the Modern Problem
Solver. London: CRC Press.
Wang, P.S. (2017) From Computing to Computational Thinking. London: CRC Press.